Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit Issues Fresh Apology Over Enduring Jeffrey Epstein Ties
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has once again expressed profound regret and offered a public apology for her past association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The renewed expressions of remorse come in the wake of the U.S. Department of Justice's recent release of millions of additional documents related to the Epstein case, which included extensive email correspondence between the Crown Princess and the disgraced financier. The revelations have placed the Norwegian royal household under significant scrutiny, prompting Mette-Marit to acknowledge "poor judgment" and the "embarrassment" her connections have caused to the monarchy and the public.
The Weight of Revelation: A Royal Apology
The latest apologies from Crown Princess Mette-Marit, issued on February 2, 2026, and reiterated on February 6, 2026, follow the January 30 release of new files under the "Epstein Files Transparency Act." These documents shed further light on the nature and duration of her contact with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. In her initial statement, shared by the Royal House with media outlets including NRK and People, the Crown Princess conveyed deep remorse. "Jeffrey Epstein is solely responsible for his actions. I must take responsibility for not having investigated Epstein's background more thoroughly, and for not realizing sooner what kind of person he was," she stated. "I deeply regret this, and it is a responsibility I must bear. I showed poor judgment and regret having had any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing." Mette-Marit also extended her "deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the abuse committed by Jeffrey Epstein." A subsequent apology on Friday specifically addressed those she had "disappointed," including the King and Queen, acknowledging the situation she had "put the Royal Family in."
Unveiling the Connections: A Timeline of Contact
The newly released files indicate that the Crown Princess's communication with Epstein was more extensive and prolonged than previously understood. While Mette-Marit had acknowledged her contact with Epstein in 2019, stating at the time that she had ceased communication with him by 2013 and would not have engaged with him had she been aware of his criminal actions, the new materials suggest otherwise. Her name reportedly appears "several hundred times" in the recently disclosed documents, which contain numerous email exchanges. Among the confirmed instances of contact, the palace confirmed that Crown Princess Mette-Marit stayed at an Epstein-owned property in Palm Beach, Florida, for four days in 2013, having arranged the visit through a mutual friend. During this stay, she met Epstein at his home. Another meeting reportedly occurred on the Caribbean island of Saint-Barthelemy, where Crown Prince Haakon also briefly met Epstein for the first and only time. The Royal Palace has clarified that the Crown Princess never visited Epstein's private island, where many of the alleged abuses took place.
Royal Scrutiny and Public Disappointment
The revelations and subsequent apologies have intensified public scrutiny of the Norwegian Royal Family. The Royal Household has acknowledged the "strong reactions people have to what has emerged in recent days" and emphasized that the Crown Princess "strongly disavows Epstein's abuse and criminal acts." They also communicated that Mette-Marit is in a "very demanding situation" and requires time to "gather her thoughts" before she can explain herself further. This ongoing controversy adds to a challenging period for the Norwegian monarchy. The Crown Princess's son is currently on trial for multiple offenses, including charges of rape, further compounding the pressure on the royal family. The editor-in-chief of a prominent Norwegian celebrity magazine, Niklas Kokkinn-Thoresen, noted a national debate about Mette-Marit's suitability to become queen in light of these developments. The fact that she met Epstein at his home and in Oslo years after his 2008 conviction for child sex offenses is particularly difficult for many Norwegians to accept.
The Broader Shadow of the Epstein Files
The release of the extensive Epstein files by the U.S. Department of Justice continues to cast a long shadow, revealing connections between the late financier and numerous prominent individuals globally. The Crown Princess's situation is one example of the widespread impact of these revelations. In response to the latest disclosures, Norway itself plans to conduct an investigation into the connections between Epstein and other notable Norwegians whose names may appear in the documents, including former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland. This broader context underscores the continuing global reckoning with Epstein's criminal enterprise and the societal figures who wittingly or unwittingly interacted with him.
The Crown Princess's apologies reflect the ongoing challenges facing public figures whose past associations with Jeffrey Epstein are now being fully exposed. For the Norwegian monarchy, an institution reliant on public trust and integrity, Mette-Marit's continued expressions of regret and the transparency, however belated, are critical steps in navigating this deeply damaging saga. The path forward will undoubtedly require sustained efforts to rebuild confidence and demonstrate accountability in the face of enduring revelations.
